NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, alleging that the PM “ran out of the House in a second” upon seeing him. His comments escalated tensions in Parliament, which faced multiple adjournments due to opposition protests.
Key Allegations by Gandhi
Speaking to reporters after the House was suspended for the second time, Gandhi alleged that while government members had the freedom to speak, opposition figures were being shut down. He stated:
“I am the Leader of Opposition, it is my right, I am never allowed to speak… The debate will happen if they allow it… but the PM ran out of the House in a second”.
The demand for a time-bound discussion on Operation Sindoor—India’s military response following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack—triggered protests and led to the repeated adjournments.
Parliamentary Context & Speaker’s Ruling
Speaker Om Birla intervened, urging adherence to protocol and promising that issues including Operation Sindoor would be addressed after the Question Hour. The Chair emphasized decorum, stating,
“The House will function only through rules and regulations. It cannot allow sloganeering and raising of placards”.
Nevertheless, the Lok Sabha was adjourned twice—first until noon and later until 2 PM—amid persistent chaos.
BJP Retorts & Political Fallout
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly dismissed Gandhi’s remarks. Turning the spotlight back on the opposition, BJP leaders accused Congress of deliberate disruption. They maintained that the government was open to discussion post-Question Hour, but the “Opposition is a disturbing element”.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju added:
“It is the first day of the Parliament session and everyone is trying to create ruckus here… The Government of India is ready to discuss all concerns raised here”.
What’s Next?
• Opposition Stand: Congress and its allies are pressing for a formal debate on Operation Sindoor and continuity in parliamentary processes.
• Parliamentary Order: The Speaker plans to allow discussions in a structured way following Question Hour.
• Political Messaging: Rahul Gandhi’s remark that “PM ran away” is poised to be a central theme in Congress’s narrative, accusing the ruling party of avoiding accountability.
